Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 71: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when will he decide on the merging of vocational education committees; if County Kerry will remain a stand-alone entity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13960/11]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 80: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the proposal to amalgamate and rationalise vocational education committees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14065/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 71 and 80 together.

The previous Government decided to reduce the number of VECs from 33 to 16 and on the merger of particular counties. I am anxious to ensure that progress continues to be made in the work on bringing about a reduction in the number of VECs. The Irish Vocational Education Association (IVEA) has recently responded to my invitation to it to submit alternative rationalisation proposals, following its expression of concerns regarding the configuration of the proposed new entities. I will consider the IVEA's response and decide on the particular mergers in the coming period having regard to the potential for savings and to ensuring that the new structures will be fit for purpose.